The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

Two of these sold on eBay last week and were nearly £100 apart in the bidding. The going rate is £100-£150 for an unmolested one and by experience I can tell you that they all clean up well normally unless you get a basket case. The more expensive of the two £230+ had a high gloss finish. I'm fascinated by this as Dennis was a Norfolk Pike angler and its the nostalgic interest that captures buyers though clearly they think Dennis would have approved more of the re-finished rod. There is a lot of mystery surrounding his big captures, he was quite a rascal by all accounts

I too wondered about the difference in prices - but a similar event happened a few months ago with another one going for over £200! I will hang onto mine & wait & see how many more go over the £200 mark!!

There is what appears to be an unused one on ebay at the minute

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chapman-denni ... 3395eb888f

I guess this is a modern built one

It looks very nice. I wonder what sort of money it will go for? are these rods sought after?

That's a corker!

I'm not they are sought after as such or if they are its by the few of us that fish for pike with cane. The Mk IV S/U is far superior and its not far off S/U money at £200+. They all clean up well and those bags are still available from Chapman's. Old Dennis would have enjoyed all this spoofing of prices I'm quite sure of that. I knew Eddie Vincent well who used to fish with him. Eddie was Jim Vincent's (spoon) son.

It was raining on Saturday so I ventured into the spare room where you keep all the stuff you cannot live without but which you rarely look at. Whilst rummaging I discovered a magazine dated December 1967 entitled Angling. I had clearly bought it as it contained an article on Pike Fishing on the Norfolk Broads at Hickling by Fred Wagstaffe. There were several mentions of Dennis Pye and there was also the advert for his rod made of course by Chapmans of Ware.

It seems that there were at least 3 versions of this rod as listed here and with a 4lb test curve I doubt there is even now anything in British inland waters that this rod could not handle.

That 700 went for £241!

Yes madness. I expect the very nice handle added about another £100 to the final price.

I didn't see it on e.bay to be honest as piggy bank is currently at zero. Do I take it the rod was the 3 piece version priced at £6 -0-7d in December 1967?

One can only assume its the early season Pike fever and/or maybe someone matching up regardless of cost but final value in both cases was driven by one bidder. I have a few of them here as I like the Norfolk history that goes with them and the last one I bought recently was a superb unmolested version in bag for £143. Both those that made 'premiums' have had a re-varnish so given the harsh weather associated with fishing for Esox maybe its seen as a benefit worth paying for.
At the risk of upsetting you chaps that like your 'Yates' Hunters I have never seen Chapmans as a premium rod builder but that is just my humble opinion..I like them but not as a contender for favourites of mine. For that sort of money and a bit of patience the S/U is a better rod by a country mile. Both are brutes but for a surging Pike or Cat they do give you confidence and in the casting of bigger baits of course.
That said this was a little different to the average although the average is climbing fast. Would I have pursued this sole fish in 7ha of water with either of these rods?...Nope. On your own at 3am and you don't want to be getting in a boat to save a fish's life with a broken rod in your hands..